Chapter 400

New Zi Jin City, New New Zi Jin, Hai New Zi Jin, and Li New Zi Jin.

The four Zijins each symbolize different locations.

Although Baimu had only seen the abandoned underwater energy collection platform Hai New Zi Jin in videos, he now stood on the streets of New Zi Jin City, able to see the massive Li New Zi Jin in two directions and the dilapidated New New Zi Jin on a solitary island beyond the coastline.

"Didn't you consider redeveloping New New Zi Jin? I remember you said you didn't develop New New Zi Jin because it would disturb wild Pokémon—now, with today's technology—"

He turned to ask Tie Xuan.

Tie Xuan replied in surprise: "You know about this? Do you have relatives who used to work for the company?"

"No, I saw it online."

"Ah~"

The fat old man with speckled white hair nodded knowingly, then added regretfully: "Even with today's technology, New New Zi Jin's environment is too unique to be disturbed lightly, so we can only rebuild on the foundation of New Zi Jin City."

The company Tie Xuan referred to was none other than Da New Zi Jin Corporation, the firm that originally built New Zi Jin City; as an energy enterprise, it had once been a commercial rival to Dewin Corporation, even sending corporate spies to uncover its secrets.

Unfortunately, Dewin Corporation was too powerful, and Da New Zi Jin Corporation happened to suffer the failure of the New New Zi Jin project, receiving a single devastating blow that led directly to its bankruptcy.

The anime's setting mirrors the game: Da New Zi Jin Corporation, too, became a relic of history, toppled by the failed New New Zi Jin project.

Baimu recalled the information he had seen and asked again: "Is New New Zi Jin still abandoned?"

"Yes, it's home to many Electric-type wild Pokémon. The environment isn't as dangerous as Steel Valley—if you're interested in Electric-type Pokémon, you might find a way to go see it."

Tie Xuan laughed heartily and suddenly stopped the car. "We're here! Li New Zi Jin!"

Through the window, a massive U-shaped building suddenly appeared before Baimu.

From afar, it already looked enormous; up close, it stretched so far left and right that the ends were invisible.

Though only two and a half stories tall, its footprint was terrifyingly vast, and the foot traffic was equally staggering—people and Pokémon flowed constantly through the semi-open-air corridors leading inward.

Tie Xuan said: "The Pokémon Center is inside. Follow the signs and you'll find it. Since vehicles can't enter, I can only drop you off here. By the way, my Gym is inside too."

"Understood. Thank you for the ride."

Baimu opened the door and stepped out, thanking him.

"Hahaha! No problem, no problem! Remember to book early! Don't get so distracted wandering around Li New Zi Jin! I'll be at the Gym these few days, but if too many people book, you might have to wait in line!"

Tie Xuan waved casually, then suddenly switched to a serious expression. "After all, I'm surprisingly popular as a Gym Leader! Hahaha—"

His loud laughter faded as the hovercar drove away.

Baimu's expression was odd, yet he couldn't help laughing too. "What an interesting old man."

Perhaps because Tie Xuan's car was so distinctive, passersby immediately turned to stare as soon as he stepped out, forcing him to quickly compose himself and walk toward the interior of Li New Zi Jin.

As one of the few major cities in the Hoenn region, New Zi Jin City likely had many fans of Grand Contests.

Getting blocked would be a problem.

Inside the glass-domed semi-open-air corridor, floor-to-ceiling windows on both sides continuously played Li New Zi Jin's promotional videos, while hidden speakers overhead emitted a familiar electronic voice.

"Welcome to the City of Joy, Li New Zi Jin! We hope you have fun and feel safe, Loto~"

Baimu scanned the surroundings and realized every single floor-to-ceiling window had a virtual-screen function.

Numerous Lotooms appeared as pop-up windows across these virtual screens, occasionally offering: "How may I assist you?"

Indeed, many people stopped to converse with them.

The Lotooms answered their questions with great friendliness—whether for directions, locating a specific shop, or anything else—even marking arrows to guide them.

"Even without a special carrier, they can do this? What an impressive Pokémon… Lotoom…"

As he unconsciously marveled, a shrunken Poké Ball at his waist suddenly began to jiggle.

It was Poliwhirl protesting.

I can do this too, you know!

"Uh."

Baimu silently cursed himself for pulling it out so hastily, then soothed it aloud: "Sorry, sorry. But don't mind this—Lotoom has its strengths, Poliwhirl has its own specialties. There's no point comparing yourself to it."

"Incorrect. Lotoom is the number one Pokémon in the world, Loto~"

A Lotoom pop-up window beside him suddenly spoke out.

The Poké Ball containing Poliwhirl shook even more violently, as if ready to burst out and fight that thing.

"..."

Baimu stared blankly at the random creature that had appeared. "I take back what I just said. What a troublesome Pokémon… Lotoom."

The Lotoom pop-up on the virtual screen morphed into a crying face. "Eh—why like this—"

The Poké Ball at his waist stopped shaking.

Clearly, Poliwhirl cared only that the Trainer had praised Lotoom.

He sighed in relief, ignored the Lotoom, and kept walking. He was lucky the thing hadn't filed a complaint.

Successfully entered Li New Zi Jin.

A vast, empty indoor street appeared before him.

On both sides were shops selling goods or offering services; deeper inside lay the central open-air park at the heart of Li New Zi Jin's U-shaped structure.

Even with the constant flow of people, one couldn't help marveling at just how enormous it was.

But in truth, it was simply a super-sized shopping mall—only with far more facilities than ordinary malls.

Baimu picked up a free brochure beside the corridor and flipped through it briefly.

He had researched Li New Zi Jin before arriving, but seeing it on a screen was nothing like experiencing it firsthand—Li New Zi Jin truly delivered on that impression.

If Li New Zi Jin was this impressive, how would the true "high-tech metropolis" of Laurus City be?

He couldn't help feeling curious.

"First, the Pokémon Center."

Baimu tucked away the brochure and walked straight toward the central open-air park—the Pokémon Center stood clearly nearby.

Zi Jin City is large, but its roads aren't complicated—every path is straight, no need to detour.

Shortly after.

He had arrived before the Pokémon Center; the sensor door slid open, and a bright electronic voice immediately rang out from within.

"Welcome to the Zi Jin City Pokémon Center, Loto~"

It's here too!

Lotoom is everywhere!

Baimu silently grumbled, and suddenly saw on the large screen above the counter where Young Lady Joyn stood, a grinning Lotoom filling the entire interface with its face.

The prototype of Lotoom (Computer Lotoom)?

"Young Lady Joyn, please help me."

He handed over seven Poké Balls from his possession.

Normal trainers typically carry only six Pokémon; any extra Pokémon are automatically sent to the location of the Pokédex issuer.

But because Baimu's Pokédex was obtained from the Aishen Meina's, the teleport destination was never specifically set, so it naturally wouldn't send them away.

There's no need to send them back to Huang Tie Village—it's not like he can't take care of them.

He stored the Steelix because of its size—it's too inconvenient, indoor spaces large enough to fit it are too rare, and you can't keep it locked in a Poké Ball all day. The Bonsly and others stay in their balls during the day, but at least at night they can come out to breathe.

He chose an empty sofa and sat down, waiting for the daily health check to finish.

Thanks to Tie Xuan's speed, the day was still early; once he found a place to stay, he'd book a gym challenge for tomorrow, send the fossils to Devon Corporation, then head to the Zi Jin Food Plaza for a proper meal…

As Baimu daydreamed, he heard several excited voices beside him.

"Did you hear? Zhe Ye is battling Queen Boni at Central Park! If you go now, you can get a good spot!"

Zhe Ye?

That name sounds familiar.

He paused, and a strange figure resembling a Western cowboy slowly surfaced in his mind.

It was strange because the figure was a Meowth wearing a felt hat, a red triangular scarf around its neck, and a pair of boots.

"So it's him."

Baimu suddenly remembered—this Zhe Ye was the rival of Ash during the Slate Conference, whose team included a Meowth wearing boots, which, despite never evolving, possessed the power to defeat Pikachu—Hoenn Version.

In the end, Zhe Ye not only defeated Ash, but also won the championship of that Slate Conference.

Now he's battling Queen Boni…

The Champion League?

That's unlikely.

With nothing better to do, Baimu's curiosity piqued, and he decided to go see the spectacle.

He didn't need to search for the battle location—news of Zhe Ye's battle against Queen Boni, the Champion, had spread across the land; by the time he arrived, the crowd was already packed.

Fortunately, he was tall—even standing behind a sea of people around 1.7 meters tall, he still had a clear view.

At either end of the battlefield, on the trainer benches, stood a young man with brown hair and a green trench coat, and a noblewoman with golden hair wearing a purple dress.

Inside the arena, a Meowth wearing a felt hat and boots was desperately dodging shards of ice fired by an Glalie, constantly trying to close in, while the ground was already coated in a visible layer of white frost—yet it didn't seem to hinder the Meowth's movements.

These boots have great traction!

Baimu raised an eyebrow; honestly, if not for this Meowth's unusual case, this could almost be considered cheating—boots aren't on the League's approved list of special items Pokémon may carry into battle.

But he assumed Zhe Ye had notified the organizers before entering every tournament.

"Iron Tail!"

At Zhe Ye's command, the Meowth, having successfully closed in on the Glalie, leapt up, spinning rapidly forward and slamming its metallic-gleaming tail into the opponent's head.

Boom!

Visible shockwaves testified to the terrifying power of this strike!

But the Glalie struck by Iron Tail didn't even flinch—only its black horns glowed with icy-blue lightning, converging into a brilliant light sphere on its forehead.

"Freeze-Dry."

The crowd's noise nearly drowned out Boni's voice, but Baimu caught her command through the movement of her lips and his sharp hearing.

In the next instant.

A strange beam of blue, white, and purple light erupted from the sphere, drenching the dodging Meowth and instantly freezing it into a massive ice ball.

"Meowth!"

Zhe Ye's anxious voice was clearly audible: "Break free!"

"Spinning Top."

Boni spoke the term calmly, her voice still not loud.

"Ane!"

The menacing Glalie spun rapidly like a top, its protruding horns glowing silver and forming a bright silver ring that hurled the frozen Meowth flying!

Thud!

The ice ball flew in a parabolic arc, crashed to the ground, and shattered into countless ice fragments; the freed Meowth lay on the ground, its hat fallen off, its eyes replaced by black circles symbolizing unconsciousness.

Zhe Ye sighed, "I lost. Thank you for the guidance, Queen Boni."

He recalled the Meowth into its Poké Ball.

Over already?

So fast!

Baimu was deeply disappointed—the battle had clearly just begun, yet it ended so quickly; after all that, it was just a one-on-one fight.

Of course—these roadside battles are usually one-on-one, quick and clean.

But Zhe Ye doesn't seem to have grown much—the Glalie might be Boni's ace Pokémon, but that Meowth, which once defeated Pikachu—Hoenn Version, lost so easily…

It's hard to justify logically.

After Tetsuya stepped down, other Trainers rushed forward, requesting battles with Queen Boni.

Unexpectedly, Queen Boni agreed.

A special training day like Kona's?

A thought stirred in Baimu's mind; he turned and walked toward the Pokémon Center. Though he likely wouldn't get a chance given the current hype, if possible, he still hoped to fight a Pokémon League Elite Four member to gauge his current strength.

If the Elite Four won't do, then I'll fight Tetsuya.

The moment he returned to the Pokémon Center, he heard his name called.

"Mr. Baimu! Please come retrieve your Pokémon! Mr. Baimu! Please come retrieve…"

The voice came from a loudspeaker on a small cart; Nurse Happiny stood behind it, arms crossed, right foot tapping sharply up and down, her gaze hostile.

What the hell! They're broadcasting to find you?

"Ugh."

Baimu hurried to the cart and apologized to Nurse Happiny, "Sorry, I just went out to check out the commotion."

"Happy!"

Nurse Happiny scolded him sternly before allowing him to reclaim his Pokémon.

To be honest, this whole procedure stunned him—every other city's Pokémon Center simply required a receipt or Trainer Card at the counter; he never expected Zi Jin City to call out names like a restaurant.

I hope no one recognized me.

Baimu silently prayed as he took back all his Poké Balls, when a voice sounded beside him.

"Baimu? Excuse me—are you the Baimu who won three straight Super Contests?"

This is bad.

He forced a smile and turned—only to find the speaker was Tetsuya, who had just battled Queen Boni. "Uh, yes, I am…"

"Perfect! I'm Tetsuya! My little sister is a huge fan of you and Gyarados! Please sign something for me!"

Tetsuya's eyes lit up, reaching for Baimu's right hand.

But Baimu easily dodged away.